English Civil War Battles Notes

Edgehill 1642

The first pitched battle of the English Civil War, where the Roundhead army faced the cavalier army led by King Charles I.

How much resources did Roundhead have in Edgehill

12K infantry, 2000 on horsed, 30 cannons

How much resources did the cavalier army have in Edgehill

10K men, 20 cannons

How is the situation after Edgehill?

No winner as can’t fight but parliament’s at a disadvantage

King’s correspondence

Letters with Earl of Newcastle leaked, probed Charles was encouraging recruitment of Roman Catholics in the northern arm

Rupert

Prince Rupert, King Charles I's nephew, who played a significant role in battles such as Edgehill and Marston Moor.

Roundheads

Supporters of the Parliament during the English Civil War, known for their distinctive haircuts.

Cavaliers

Supporters of King Charles I during the English Civil War, known for their flamboyant style and loyalty to the king.

Oxford Treaty

A peace negotiation attempt by the Parliament during the English Civil War, including clauses against Roman Catholics.

Newbury/Siege of Gloucester 1643

A battle where the Roundheads tried to return to London but were blocked by the cavalier army led by King Charles I.

Who won Newbury and why

Roundheads, they had a better position, Rupert was impatient and didn’t wait for Essex to attack him thus broke cover

Battle of Marston Moor, 1644

A significant battle where the Roundheads defeated the Cavaliers, diminishing the king's power in Northern England.

What stupid decisions did Charles make at Battle of Naseby 1645

King chose to give battle a Naseby despite the parliamentary army being nearly twice the size of his and is commanded by generals with a strong position on a ridge

What stupid decisions did Rupert made at Battle of Naseby

He pursed enemy to parliament’s baggage train and it took him an entire hour to regroup

How much did parliament win by at battle of Naseby 1645?

Kill 1K royalists, capture another 4.5K for loss of only 200 men

New Model Army

Single national force of parliament under Sir Fairfax— a professional soldier

Fatally weakened by Self-denying ordinance

Only formed a few months before Naseby —not decisive